Cerebrally Stimulating 'Lucy' Gets Surreal

The Scarlett Johansson vehicle Lucy is a taut, psychological thriller despite its advertising. Anyone who is focused on the abilities and the likelihood of this being the female superhero that audiences have been clamoring for will be sorely disappointed. However, anyone who is looking for a creative, thought provoking science fiction film with philosophical overtones wrapped up with the presence of Johansson and the voice of Morgan Freeman will be exceedingly satisfied.Spoiler Alert: Any good film relies on surprising use of what is expected. Do not read any further if you want to enjoy Lucy. When you go, make sure that you are paying close attention to the film. This is not a summer popcorn film that is as good if you shut your brain off and enjoy the special effects. Lucy is a college student who gets mixed up in carrying a new drug to the United States. The whole first act features elements of surrealism as Lucy is ensnared in the scheme. The off-putting images give the film a feeling closer to psychological horror than anything else out there, but the editing is creative enough to know that this is what the director was going for. Lucy is put in a harrowing situation, and the imagery accompanying that sequence helps give the viewer that sense. There is a great use of the effect that had Fred Astaire dancing on the ceiling, and Johansson does a spectacular job in a role that seems to be an amalgamation of several other arts she has played in the past. With elements of Mindwalk, Her, and a short homage to Professor X, Lucy is worth seeing. In fact, these are the types of films that everyone should be flocking to. Clearly, this film was made for foreign audiences. Hopefully, Americans will be sophisticated enough to enjoy and understand this film, even if it seems a little on the weird side. It is a very good weird that was cerebrally stimulating. “Life was given to us a billion years ago. Now you know what to do about it.”